Power in the Word
“While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.” —Acts 10:44
While Simon Peter spoke the words of this life; while he preached Christ crucified; while he proclaimed the blessed truth of heaven, the Holy Spirit fell upon those to whom he delivered the everlasting gospel. There is indeed power in the Word of God.
Why do we think we must aid the preached Word of scripture? Why do we think we need to make it more interesting? or more entertaining? It is probably because there is no power behind those words. Yet, how does a sinner saved by grace receive that kind of power back of the gospel? How can we preach Christ with Spirit power? How can we simply share our faith with the Holy Spirit’s effectual call? Do you think you can’t do it? Be encouraged; for on that Pentecostal day and afterward, Peter, who denied Jesus thrice that evening the Lord was betrayed and arrested, was used of the Lord powerfully. What was the difference between the self-confident Peter who denied the Lord and this Peter who preached to Cornelius and his family?
First, Peter became a man of prayer after the Lord ascended to the right hand of the Father, Acts 10:9 (also Acts 3:1),
On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour:
Next, though Peter didn’t quite understand the Word of the Lord in prayer (Acts 10:13-15), he continued to think about it and meditate upon it, Acts 10:19,
While Peter thought on the vision…
Finally, being prayerful man and full of prayer, being thoughtful of God’s Word and meditating upon its meaning, Peter was able to attend to the situation at hand because he was filled with the Spirit of God, Acts 10:19-21,
…the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee. Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them. Then Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from Cornelius…
The Spirit had already been doing a work upon Cornelius’ heart. An angel appeared to Cornelius to call Peter (Acts 10:7). Why didn’t the angel just give Cornelius the gospel message? The angel didn’t do it because God has ordained means for the proclamation of gospel of Jesus Christ. One of the primary means God uses is redeemed sinners like you and I to preach the gospel, as it is written in Romans 10:13-15,
For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
Thereby God receives great glory.
We can’t always figure out ‘why’ God does what He does, but my guess is that God uses man (rather than angels) to proclaim the gospel because it aids his sanctification. It takes much courage, faith, humility, love, patience, kindness, faithfulness, self-control… and every other type of good spiritual fruit to do this kind of work. And we have the Holy Spirit to help and to guide us.
Thank you for this edifying post. God bless you!
Indeed, sister. The proclamation of the gospel does sanctify the redeemed in all those ways.
I believe, however, the most significant reason that God uses sinners saved by grace is for His greatest glory:
“Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into” (1 Peter 1:12).
Angels who have kept their first estate, by God’s sovereign grace and election, who see the unbridled majesty of God almighty upon His throne, are utterly amazed that men created from dust, and fallen in Adam, have not only been redeemed, not only are indwelt by the Spirit of the living God, but while we are yet carnal, sold under sin though redeemed, have the privilege and honor of proclaiming the Christ they worship constantly without hinderance or restraint. WE GET to preach Christ crucified. Angels are more amazed than we are at that truth because the corruption of flesh often veils it from our view.
What beautiful and encouraging insight; thank you!